Whitby's Kevin Collins catching on in Texas

St. Michael's receiver part of Ontario U19 football team

Whitby's Kevin Collins catching on in Texas

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TORONTO -- Whitby's Kevin Collins, a receiver at St. Michael's College in Toronto, is part of an Ontario under-19 football team playing a United States select team in Texas February 6. January 31, 2013

WHITBY -- Kevin Collins has quite the Super Bowl party planned for this weekend, but it won't even be his football highlight in the days ahead.

The Grade 12 student, who lives in Whitby but goes to school at St. Michael's College in Toronto, will be in Texas for the big game between the San Francisco 49'ers and Baltimore Ravens, and watching the game will be one of the bonding activities for him and his Ontario under-19 select teammates.

But their very own version of the Super Bowl will surely highlight the trip, as the Ontario squad will take on a select team of players from across the United States on Wednesday in Austin.

It will be no easy task, for sure, given the strength of the game south of the border and the fact they'll be playing U.S. rules, but Collins believes his team will turn some heads, just as an under-19 national team did by defeating the U.S. in the summer.

"It'll be interesting and a little harder to adjust but I think we'll surprise a few people and give them a run for their money for sure," said Collins. "It will be a neat experience and learning curve for everyone involved."

Collins is a relative newcomer to the sport. A rep hockey player growing up, he was convinced to play by his friends at St. Mike's in Grade 10, and he quickly grew to love the physical and mental aspects of the hard-hitting sport.

He spent his first season with the Kerry Blues as a quarterback before switching to receiver, where he was the team's primary target, hauling in 51 receptions over the past two seasons.

Of the many adjustments he will need to make down south, perhaps the most difficult will see him catching balls thrown by Chris Merchant, quarterback of rival St. Andrew's in high school.

"It'll be interesting to see how we sort of come together and put our differences aside and work together against the U.S.," joked Collins, who's six foot five and 210 pounds.

Collins was among some 500 players who tried out for the team, with only 40 making it. Running back Raishaun Provo of Pickering and defensive lineman Trevaughn James of Whitby were also among those who made the cut.

"I thought I had a pretty good tryout and I was sort of on the edge," said Collins of being named to the team. "When I found out, I was pretty excited because it'll be a great opportunity."

Collins plans to continue playing football at the University of Toronto next year as he pursues his goal of becoming a lawyer and/or politician.